286 U.S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



Products of Alaska herring industry in 1933 



The cooperation of a majority of the American fleet in a program 

 for the control of production during a. large part of the season was 

 of material benefit to the halibut industry. Under this program, 

 catch limits per man were prescribed for vessels operating in the 

 different areas, and the vessels were assigned dates on which to 

 make port with their fares. This resulted in shorter trips, an ex- 

 cellent qualit}^ of fish, and a more even distribution of the market 

 supply, eliminating to a large extent the overconcentration of stocks 

 so frequently brought about by unrestricted fishing. These factors 

 had a direct influence on prices, which averaged for the year approxi- 

 mately 40 percent higher than for 1932. 



The fishermen gave greater attention than in 1932 to the saving 

 of halibut livers, resulting in a substantial increase in the quantity 

 sold and a larger profit to the fishermen, inasmuch as the prices 

 advanced about 25 percent. It is estimated that for each 65 pounds 

 of halibut landed there is landed about 1 pound of halibut liver. 



In accordance with amended regulations of the International Fish- 

 eries Commission, the halibut-fishing season opened on February 1. 

 As in the preceding year, halibut were abundant on the fishing 

 grounds. The catch limit for area no, 2 was reached in August, and 

 the season was closed there on August 25 ; area no. 3, to the westward, 

 remained open through October 26. 



Biological and statistical studies of the Pacific halibut were con- 

 tinued by the International Fisheries Commission under the direction 

 of Dr. William F. Thompson. The schooner Eagle was chartered 

 for field work and was operated in the Gulf of Alaska for about 

 10 weeks at the beginning of the year. The Canadian schooner 

 Oapella I was used also by the commission for investigational work 

 in the vicinity of Queen Charlotte Islands. 



STATISTICAL SUMMARY 



There were 569 persons engaged in the halibut industry in Alaska 

 in 1933 — an increase of 110 from the number reported for the pre- 

 ceding year, and the products totaled 14,068,911 pounds, valued at 



